ERATOSTRATUS, or more properly EROSTRATUS, an Ephesian who fired the famous temple of Diana the same night on which Alexander was born (B.C. 356), the watchful care of the goddess being withdrawn to attend the labour of Olympias. Having confessed that the desire to immortalize his name instigated him to the deed, Eratostratus was condemned by the Ephesians to eternal oblivion.